Best fit: Digital Nomad (score: 75)
Milan sits in northern Italy at 120 meters above sea level, in the humid subtropical climate zone that brings hot, humid summers and foggy winters. The city of 1.4 million draws expats to neighborhoods like Brera, Porta Nuova, and Navigli, where a large and active expat community has taken root. English is common in tourist areas, making daily life accessible for newcomers.
Living costs in Milan reflect its status as a financial hub. A single adult in the budget tier spends $1,308/mo including rent, while the mid-range tier runs $2,081/mo and the comfortable tier $2,877/mo. Excluding rent, a single person spends $1,174/mo and a family of four $4,223/mo. Rents vary sharply: a one-bedroom in the city center averages $1,710/mo versus $1,162/mo outside it; a three-bedroom in the center is $3,471/mo, dropping to $2,010/mo beyond the center. Utilities run $253/mo, internet $30/mo, and a mobile plan $10/mo. A monthly public transport pass costs $44/mo and a gym membership $84/mo. An inexpensive restaurant meal is $22, a mid-range three-course dinner for two is $90, and a cappuccino is $2. The average monthly net salary is $2,144/mo, and the cost of living index is 72 out of 100 (New York City = 100).
Milan scores a safety index of 74/100 and a crime index of 26/100, where lower is safer, indicating a generally secure environment. Healthcare quality is rated as excellent, and the air quality index is 68 (lower is better). These factors contribute to an overall expat score of 75/100.
For those considering a move, Italy offers two visa pathways. The Italy Elective Residence Visa requires a minimum monthly income of $2,895/mo, while the Italy Digital Nomad Visa demands $2,615/mo. The nearest airport is MXP, located 8 km from the city. Milan suits a range of lifestyles: it scores 64/100 for FIRE, 63/100 for retirees, and 77/100 for digital nomads, making it a strong choice for professionals, remote workers, and those seeking a balanced urban life.
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Milan at the budget tier comes to about $1,839 a month for one adult, with $1,162 of that going to rent. Beyond rent the estimate covers $221 on groceries, $90.00 on dining out, $29.00 on entertainment and lifestyle, $293 on utilities and connectivity and $44.00 on transport.
Rent
$1,162/mo
1BR outside the centre
Groceries
$221/mo
75% of mid-range grocery spend
Dining out
$90.00/mo
4 inexpensive meals
Entertainment & lifestyle
$29.00/mo
1 cinema trip, 8 cappuccinos
Utilities & connectivity
$293/mo
utilities, mobile, internet
Transport
$44.00/mo
Monthly pass
Budgets (excl. rent)
Excludes rent. The total above is all-in, rent included.
Milan at the mid-range tier comes to about $2,152 a month for one adult, with $1,162 of that going to rent. Beyond rent the estimate covers $295 on groceries, $224 on dining out, $134 on entertainment and lifestyle, $293 on utilities and connectivity and $44.00 on transport.
Rent
$1,162/mo
1BR outside the centre
Groceries
$295/mo
Staples basket scaled to a full month
Dining out
$224/mo
10 inexpensive meals
Entertainment & lifestyle
$134/mo
gym, 2 cinema trips, 12 cappuccinos
Utilities & connectivity
$293/mo
utilities, mobile, internet
Transport
$44.00/mo
Monthly pass
Budgets (excl. rent)
Excludes rent. The total above is all-in, rent included.
Milan at the comfortable tier comes to about $3,038 a month for one adult, with $1,710 of that going to rent. Beyond rent the estimate covers $413 on groceries, $403 on dining out, $175 on entertainment and lifestyle, $293 on utilities and connectivity and $44.00 on transport.
Rent
$1,710/mo
1BR in the centre
Groceries
$413/mo
140% of mid-range grocery spend
Dining out
$403/mo
6 inexpensive meals + 6 mid-range meals
Entertainment & lifestyle
$175/mo
gym, 4 cinema trips, 20 cappuccinos
Utilities & connectivity
$293/mo
utilities, mobile, internet
Transport
$44.00/mo
Monthly pass
Budgets (excl. rent)
Excludes rent. The total above is all-in, rent included.
Estimates for one adult, built from this city's average prices and the usage shown for each tier. Your spending will differ with how often you eat out and where you live.
A 1BR in the center runs about $1710.14/mo. If your income is in another currency, bank FX fees add up. A multi-currency account can cut that cost.
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(Higher is safer)
(Lower is safer)
Milan is genuinely safe for expats, with low violent crime and a well-policed city center. Petty theft and pickpocketing occur in crowded transit areas (Central Station, trams) and tourist zones—standard urban precautions apply. Avoid the Stazione Centrale neighborhood after dark and exercise normal vigilance in Navigli late at night. Scams are minimal compared to Southern European cities. Overall, Milan feels secure for remote workers and retirees; the main risk is opportunistic theft rather than personal safety threats. Geopolitical concerns are negligible.
See how Milan's healthcare compares with Monticchiello
Humid subtropical climate with hot, humid summers and foggy winters.
Milan has a vibrant nomad scene with plenty of networking opportunities.
| Name | Notes |
|---|---|
| Cascina Roma Creative Hub | Located at Piazza delle Arti, San Donato Milanese. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:30-18:30. |
| Coworking LOGIN | Located at Via Stefanardo Da Vimercate 28, Milano. Hours: Mo-Fr 08:00-22:30; Sa 08:00-13:00; Su closed. |
| ènostra coop | Located at 61/A Via Andre' Marie Ampere, Milano. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-18:00. |
| FTI Consulting Italy s.r.l | Located at 1 Via San Raffaele, Milano. |
| Impact Hub | Located at 4 Via Aosta, Milano. Hours: Mo-Fr 09:00-19:30. |
| LePark | Located at 50 Via Giancarlo Sismondi, Milano. |
| Luiss Hub Milano | In Milano. |
| Open by Joivy | Located at 6 Viale Monte Nero, Milano. |
Names, locations and hours can change. Check each space's website before you visit. Places from © OpenStreetMap contributors and Foursquare Open Source Places (Apache 2.0).
Planning to live in Milan long-term? Italy Digital Nomad Visa lets remote workers live legally with a minimum income of $2,615/month.
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See how Milan's digital nomad life compares with Monticchiello
The financial and fashion hub of Italy, Milan is the most international and fast-paced city in the country.
Notable areas of Milan, with descriptions adapted from public reference sources. Rent figures are Numbeo's city-wide averages, not prices for a specific area.
Conditions can change from one block to the next, and these descriptions are general guides, not safety assessments. Before choosing where to stay or live, check current travel advisories, talk to people who live there, and visit in person if you can.
Chiaravalle is a district in southern Milan within Zone 5 and the Parco Agricolo Sud Milano nature reserve. It was an independent comune before 1923 and retains a town-like character, separated from the city by the park. Public transport to the center is limited, mostly one bus line to Porta Romana that stops at Corvetto metro. Its main landmark is the Gothic-Romanesque Chiaravalle Abbey.
Sources: Wikipedia
Figino is a district of Milan within an administrative zone, located northwest of the center and inside the Parco Agricolo Sud Milano nature reserve. It was formerly an independent comune called Figino di Milano before annexation to Milan.
Sources: Wikipedia
Porta Sempione is a city gate in Milan whose name also refers to the surrounding district, part of the historic center's Zone 1 and including Corso Sempione. The gate is marked by the Arco della Pace, a triumphal arch from the 19th century. Its origins can be traced to a gate in Milan's Roman walls.
Sources: Wikipedia
Descriptions adapted from Wikipedia and Wikivoyage, licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Location data from OpenStreetMap contributors (ODbL).
With a 1-bedroom in the center at $1710/mo, your FIRE number here might be much lower than you think.
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